What Is A Samurai Sword?
The Samurai sword, also called a katana, is a Japanese sword used by Samurai in feudal Japan. It has a curved, single-edged blade that is slender and a square or circular tsuba (guard). The handle is long and traditionally wrapped in rayskin and then a "braid" of silk or cotton. The blade is usually about 27 1/2” in length and is sheathed in a saya (scabbard), which is traditionally made of lacquered wood. This weapon was used for slashing and stabbing motions in combat not necessarily for blocking or clashing. The art of using a katana is still practiced today in martial arts schools.
Best Of The Best
Buying a katana is a weighty decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. You are investing in either a beautifully crafted weapon or a stunning display piece. Below, you’ll find my recommendations for ten of the top Samurai swords out there. They represent the variety of styles that you can find on today’s market.
Shinwa Lazuli Katana
A real show-piece to add to your collection, the
Shinwa Lazuli Katana is both a stunning beauty and a fierce beast. The intricate blade patterns of the blue Damascus steel blade give it a one-of-a-kind look, yet it still delivers outstanding cutting power. The vibrant blue blade is perfectly complemented by a blue lacquered, wooden scabbard that has painted gold crackle accents. The hardwood handle is unique with its genuine red rayskin wrap that contrasts with the blue cord-wrap. Details like the eye-catching, gold cast metal tsuba with its dragon design and the polished brass habaki give the katana a custom look and feel. Shinwa swords have a quality standard like no other!
Shikoto Hidden Samurai Katana
The
Shikoto Hidden Samurai Katana was inspired by and is worthy of the Japanese warrior of Feudal Japan. As all Shinwas, it was hand-forged by a master swordsmith, using the same time-tested techniques as their forefathers. The clay-tempered, T10 carbon steel blade extends from a brass habaki and the copper-colored brass Samurai-themed tsuba. The hardwood handle is wrapped in genuine, tea-colored rayskin and brown cord with brass dagger menuki and the handle is topped by a matching brass pommel. A black, lacquered wooden scabbard, accented with brown cord-wrap to match the handle, protects the katana’s blade.
Sokojikara Golden Tiger Katana
The
Sokojikara Golden Tiger Katana is a sublime specimen of strength with its homage to the tiger - a fierce and powerful predator that attacks its prey with stealth and perfectly balanced skill. You’ll find a perfect balance of strength and flexibility in all Sokojikara katanas as the forging process includes clay-tempering. The hand-forged blade is crafted of T10 steel, which extends from a polished brass habaki. The circular tsuba is solid brass and the incredibly detailed tiger design has dark highlighting that really makes it stand-out. The wooden handle is wrapped in genuine black rayskin and black cord that truly shows-off the brass dragon menuki. The pommel is also crafted of brass, and it has a dragon design in painstaking detail. The katana slides like a glove into a traditional, black lacquered wooden scabbard.
Kojiro Scarlett Katana
When you own a Kojiro katana, you’re getting quality and value far beyond the price. The
Scarlett Katana is a great sword to start with as a first-time sword owner. It’s completely resilient and reliable and the 1045 carbon steel blade is razor-sharp. The intricately detailed tsuba is metal alloy with an antique copper look, highlighted in gold. The wooden handle is wrapped in faux white rayskin, and black cord and the expertly crafted pommel is black metal. The scarlet red lacquered wooden scabbard is stunning with its faux mother of pearl bamboo and bird inlay.
Yellow Lotus Katana
A silky and graceful sword and scabbard, the Yellow Lotus Katana just begs to be displayed in your collection. The high carbon steel display blade contrasts beautifully with the katana’s bright yellow and gold trappings. The highly decorative pommel, habaki, scabbard mouth and scabbard tip are bright gold metal alloy. The openwork, circular tsuba has a leaf and flower design and is also gold-colored metal alloy. The hardwood handle is wrapped in faux yellow rayskin and yellow and white striped cord. Completing the entire look of this exceptional katana is a glossy, yellow wooden scabbard with a gold accent that features a faux red jewel.
Shinwa Purple Majesty Katana
Since time out of mind, purple has been the royal color of kings and the
Shinwa Purple Majesty Katana is definitely worthy of a king! The katana has a rich, deep purple 1060 high carbon steel blade that has been hand-forged into an incredibly striking masterpiece. Contrasting remarkably with the blade, the glossy black wooden scabbard is accented with metallic silver splashes and purple cord-wrap. The intricate, dark metal alloy tsuba has a lotus design with gold highlights and the lotus design is carried through to the pommel. The handle is traditionally wrapped with genuine black rayskin and features a purple cord-wrap to match the scabbard.
Kojiro Stormcaster Katana
The
Kojiro Stormcaster Katana is absolutely for the avid collector, giving you a sword that’s packed with incredible details. The metal alloy tsuba has a delicate openwork flower design crafted in an antique copper color with gold-colored accents. The handle is wrapped in faux white rayskin and black cord with gold menuki. The black, metal alloy pommel has a flower design with gold accents to complement the tsuba. The black lacquered scabbard has hand-carved vine and flower artwork.
Shikoto Longquan Master Katana
When you hold a
Shikoto Longquan Master Katana in your hand, you are holding the same weapon a warrior used more than 2,500 years ago. Using methods used by Bronze Age swordsmiths, the T10 steel blade has been hammer-forged and clay tempered to produce a visible hamon line. Differential hardening gives this magnificent sword a harder cutting edge and a softer spine, which is the hallmark of a high-quality weapon. The hardwood handle is expertly wrapped in traditional style in genuine tea-dyed rayskin and teal cord with antiqued gold color dragon menuki. The tsuba is solid brass with an aged bronze finish and katana artwork. The traditional scabbard is black lacquered wood with teal cord-wrap to match the handle. Also included with the Shikoto Longquan Master Katana is a certificate of authenticity with forging specifications, signed by the master swordsmith who crafted the blade.
Sokojikara Soul Crane Katana
Literally a handcrafted masterpiece, the
Sokojikara Soul Crane Katana the blade was hand-forged by master smiths and the scabbard was hand-carved and painted by master artisans. The 1065 high carbon steel blade was expertly forged using advanced techniques honed over centuries. The ages-old, clay-tempering process produces a tough impact-absorbing blade spine and history’s sharpest edge. The hardwood handle is wrapped in genuine white rayskin and black cord-wrap with antique-looking menuki. The tsuba and pommel are cast bronze with a crane design in gold-colored relief. The hand-lacquered red scabbard is hand-painted with an extraordinarily detailed, brilliantly colored crane design.
Musashi Bamboo Warrior Katana
The
Musashi Bamboo Warrior Katana is razor-sharp and ready-for-battle! The hand-forged blade is 1060 high carbon steel that’s been clay-tempered and honed to a keen edge. The handle is hardwood wrapped in white rayskin and black cord-wrap. The circular, open-work tsuba is an intricate bamboo design cast of black metal alloy. The katana’s blade slides smoothly into its black lacquered wooden scabbard.
